Second Forum On Revitalization Tonight

August 24, 2005|By DON STACOM; Courant Staff Writer

BRISTOL — When city officials hosted a forum two weeks ago to get opinions about the downtown revitalization project, they received plenty of response: More than 200 people showed up to ask questions and offer ideas.

Another forum is scheduled tonight at 7 at Bristol Eastern High School and city leaders predict another big turnout.

``The last session was very useful. We got to hear firsthand what people like or don't like about the project -- this was the first chance we've had to talk with the people of Bristol in small groups and to answer direct questions,'' council member Craig Minor said Tuesday.

Mayor Gerard Couture said two points came across very clearly from the first forum: Residents are concerned that the revitalization might drive up taxes, and many of them question whether the Bristol Boys and Girls Club should be part of the project.

The Couture administration has spent more than a year promoting a plan to spend $61 million to buy and raze the long-troubled Bristol Centre Mall and replace it with a parking garage, performing arts center, Bristol Boys and Girls Club, recreation center and field house. The plan is contingent on getting $45 million in state aid.

But this summer, consultants advised officials that the costs are higher than initially projected, so the proposed theater was downsized, the parking garage construction has been postponed and a swimming pool was deleted from the plan for the field house.

Some local Republican leaders say the entire project is foundering, and accuse Couture of spending more than $5 million to buy the mall without a solid plan about what to do afterward.

Couture, however, maintained Tuesday that despite disagreement about specifics, the city is united behind the concept of downtown revitalization.

``Nobody says `Leave the property alone and don't do anything with it,''' the mayor said. ``We're all in agreement that something has to happen. We all want to do something with our downtown. This next session we'll have some financial numbers for people. We want everyone who has concerns about taxes to get their questions answered.''

Many residents are praising the North Main Street renovations that are nearing completion this month, even though critics initially questioned the value of that work, Couture pointed out. New sidewalks, pavement, benches and lighting have been installed from Route 6 to Center Street.

``At the beginning, people had concerns. Now that we're almost completing the final touches, people are asking me why didn't we do it all the way down to School Street,'' Couture said. ``Sometimes they have to see the results before they appreciate it.''